Nike's Marathon Racer, Now in Its Fourth Version

The men's Alphafly 4 is the shoe Nike builds for race day at the half and full marathon. It's a high-stack racer with a carbon plate and two kinds of ZoomX foam, made for runners who have trained for a goal race and want a shoe that keeps its pop late in the course.

For this version Nike reworked the forefoot Air Zoom pods for the first time, so the shoe lands softer and makes less noise, swapped in a lighter ZoomX LT layer on top, and added foam under the rocker at the front. Nike lists it at about 6.6 oz in a men's 8.5, with an 8mm drop.

The Technology

Air Zoom Units
Pressurized air pods under the forefoot, reworked to feel softer and quieter on each step.

ZoomX and ZoomX LT Foams
A lighter layer of foam rides on top of Nike's springiest foam, keeping weight down without losing bounce.

Carbon Fiber Flyplate
A broad, full-length plate that adds snap at toe-off and keeps the tall midsole steady over 26.2 miles.

Atomknit Upper
A light knit with vented zones for airflow and cables through the midfoot to keep your foot locked in.

Who This Shoe Is For

• Men racing a half or full marathon who want a carbon-plated race shoe
• Runners chasing a PR or a Boston qualifier at CIM, Oakland or another spring marathon
• Experienced runners who save a dedicated shoe for race day and key workouts

Specs

Fit note: Every foot is different, and sizing can change between versions. Come in for a fitting and we'll scan both feet on the Volumental scanner to find your size and width.